PA · Coverage
Panama
Panama links the Atlantic and the Pacific through the Canal and has container terminals on both coasts. Its service economy combines ports, air cargo and free zones built for regional redistribution.
Customs authority
National Customs Authority (Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas, ANA)
Main seaports
- Balboa (Pacific)
- PSA Panama International Terminal, Rodman (Pacific)
- Manzanillo International Terminal, Colón (Atlantic)
- Colon Container Terminal (Atlantic)
- Cristóbal, Colón (Atlantic)
Cargo airports
- Tocumen International Airport (Cargo Terminal)
Free zones and special regimes
The Colón Free Zone operates under Law 8 of 2016, with a tax exemption on goods traded inside the zone. The Panamá Pacífico Special Economic Area, created by Law 41 of 2004, offers a special tax, customs and labor regime on the former Howard air base.
Good to know
- Electronic invoices are issued through the DGI's Panama Electronic Invoicing System (SFEP), based on Law 256 of 2021.
- Since 1 January 2026, taxpayers with annual revenue above B/.36,000 or more than 100 invoices a month must invoice through an Authorized Qualified Provider (PAC).
- Import, export and transit procedures are handled in ANA's Customs Procedures and Services Portal.
- The Tocumen cargo terminal is less than 40 minutes from the Pacific ports and about 2 hours from the Colón Free Zone.
How we work in Panama
Panama is RealCore's headquarters. From here we work on site with operators in the Colón Free Zone, Panamá Pacífico and Panama City, and coordinate projects across the rest of the region.
See all 8 servicesSources
- Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas – Quiénes somos
- ANA – Portal de Trámites y Servicios Aduaneros
- Autoridad Marítima de Panamá – Terminales de contenedores
- Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen – Terminal de Carga
- Zona Libre de Colón – Ley 8 de 2016
- Zona Libre de Colón – ¿Por qué la Zona Libre?
- Agencia Panamá Pacífico – Sobre nosotros
- MICI – Otros regímenes especiales (Panamá Pacífico, Ley 41 de 2004)
- MEF – Panamá moderniza su método de facturación (Ley 256)
- DGI – ¿Cómo ser emisor de factura electrónica?
- BDO Panamá – Actualización de los deberes de los usuarios del SFEP (Resolución 201-6299 de 2025)
Let's talk